A photographer took depressing images from the lives of ordinary people in North Korea on his phone

A photographer took depressing images from the lives of ordinary people in North Korea on his phone

Categories: Asia | Nations

While North Korea is constantly threatening to use nuclear weapons, let's take a look at this country from the inside.

The North Korean government, as you know, has already become synonymous with secrecy. All tourists entering the country are instructed in detail what they can photograph and what they can't. Customs officers carefully check phones and other digital gadgets — cameras, tablets and memory cards — for prohibited content.

It was these restrictions that prompted photographer Xiaolu Chu to travel by train across the country in August 2015, while documenting the daily lives of ordinary people on a regular phone. Xiaolu Chu did not dare to use a professional camera, as the locals could report him to the police.

The photographer had to delete many of the shots after clashes with the police.

A photographer took depressing images from the lives of ordinary people in North Korea on his phone Source: Business Insider

A photographer took depressing images from the lives of ordinary people in North Korea on his phone

The photographer went on a long trip to North Korea.

A photographer took depressing images from the lives of ordinary people in North Korea on his phone

Most Chinese tourists enter the country by train through the city of Siniju or by plane through Pyongyang. Instead, photographer Xiaolu Chu went to Russia to get to North Korea from there via the northern port of Tumangan.

A photographer took depressing images from the lives of ordinary people in North Korea on his phone

The train from Tumangan to Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea, runs for a day. But this time it was canceled due to disagreements between North and South Korea.

A photographer took depressing images from the lives of ordinary people in North Korea on his phone

Xiaolu Chu: "So we could walk around the village all day and take pictures."

A photographer took depressing images from the lives of ordinary people in North Korea on his phone

The photographer saw a lot of people who lived in extreme poverty. Many asked for alms.

A photographer took depressing images from the lives of ordinary people in North Korea on his phone

"There are practically no overweight people in North Korea, everyone is very thin."

A photographer took depressing images from the lives of ordinary people in North Korea on his phone

Many residential buildings were in poor condition and in need of repair.

A photographer took depressing images from the lives of ordinary people in North Korea on his phone

Later, the photographer returned to the railway station and noticed portraits of former leaders of the country.

A photographer took depressing images from the lives of ordinary people in North Korea on his phone

At night, pitch darkness descends on the settlement and only these portraits are illuminated.

A photographer took depressing images from the lives of ordinary people in North Korea on his phone

The next day, the photographer finally boarded a train that went to the capital.

A photographer took depressing images from the lives of ordinary people in North Korea on his phone

A customs officer checked whether the GPS on Xiaolu's tablet was turned off. The signals are jammed as security measures.

A photographer took depressing images from the lives of ordinary people in North Korea on his phone

The customs officer also checked the laptop and the camera. The photographer noticed that he skillfully handled gadgets, with the exception of the MacBook.

A photographer took depressing images from the lives of ordinary people in North Korea on his phone

View from the train window: a boy collects corn kernels on the tracks.

A photographer took depressing images from the lives of ordinary people in North Korea on his phone

Many people travel by bicycle.

A photographer took depressing images from the lives of ordinary people in North Korea on his phone

Children swim in the river.

A photographer took depressing images from the lives of ordinary people in North Korea on his phone

There were sad signs of poverty at almost every station. In the photo: a boy begs at Hamhung station.

A photographer took depressing images from the lives of ordinary people in North Korea on his phone

Soldiers of the Korean army are resting on the tracks.

A photographer took depressing images from the lives of ordinary people in North Korea on his phone

Every time there was a chance, Xiaolu Chu took pictures on his phone. The photographer was afraid to get a professional camera, as the locals were vigilantly watching him.

A photographer took depressing images from the lives of ordinary people in North Korea on his phone

Someone from the locals still reported him to the police. "A policeman and a soldier stopped us and checked our phones. I was able to hide most of the photos, but they deleted a few frames."

A photographer took depressing images from the lives of ordinary people in North Korea on his phone

Travel agencies strongly encourage travelers to photograph student groups. In the photo, children rehearse a performance to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Workers' Party of Korea.

A photographer took depressing images from the lives of ordinary people in North Korea on his phone

Photos of anti-American rallies are also welcome. In the photo: students oppose South Korea and the United States.

A photographer took depressing images from the lives of ordinary people in North Korea on his phone

Finally, the photographer arrived by train in Pyongyang.

A photographer took depressing images from the lives of ordinary people in North Korea on his phone

When asked if he was afraid that he would be caught and punished for publishing the photos, photographer Xiaolu Chu replied that he was not.

A photographer took depressing images from the lives of ordinary people in North Korea on his phone

 

A photographer took depressing images from the lives of ordinary people in North Korea on his phone

Keywords: Ban | North korea | Phone | Photographer

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